Operation Round Up Program

WIN Energy REMC Community Trust, Inc.

As a member of WIN Energy REMC you have a unique opportunity to make a difference by participating in the Operation Round Up® program. Operation Round Up® is a voluntary charitable fundraising program for WIN Energy REMC members to have their electric bill rounded up to the next whole dollar in order to benefit and support charitable community organizations.

All WIN Energy REMC members who choose not to participate can choose to opt out. Members can opt in or out at any time.

The WIN Energy REMC Community Trust, Inc. shall accumulate and disburse funds for charitable purposes in the service area of WIN Energy REMC.

Where did Operation Round Up Begin?

The progam was started by Palmetto Electric in South Carolina in 1989 as a way for cooperative members to give back to the community. The program has been adopted by rural electric cooperatives across the nation and many Indiana cooperatives already participate in the program. WIN Energy REMC's Operation Round Up program started in May 2013.

Why is WIN Energy REMC involved in charitable organizations?

One of the cooperative principles is Concern for Community. We feel a strong responsibility to the people in the communities we serve that goes beyond simply providing reliable electricity. One of the most rewarding aspects of Operation Round Up® is that it is an extension of the concept of neighbor helping neighbor that built our electric cooperative. Operation Round Up® helps co-op members reach out to worthy causes in their communities and work together to help others.

How does it work?

Members who wish to participate in the program have their electric bill rounded up each month and those few cents are deposited into a separate fund. For example, if your electric bill for one month is $85.75, the bill would be rounded up to $86.00 and the extra $0.25 would be deposited in the Operation Round Up® fund. The donation averages $6.00 per year per account, the maximum donation per account could be $11.88 per year and it is tax deductible. The rounded up amount will be listed on your statement each month. Bill statements received in January will also have the previous year’s round up total for tax purposes.

Who determines where funds go?

The WIN Energy REMC Community Trust, Inc. is a separate entity with its own board of directors who oversee the funds. The directors of the trust are members of WIN Energy REMC and will receive and review applications from organizations requesting funding for charitable purposes and decide how to distribute funds according to the bylaws of the Trust.

The members of the WIN Energy REMC Community Trust Board include:

Gibson County: Peg Callis

Knox County: Mary Ann Miller, Chairman

Dorothy Vieke

Pike County: Carol Sutton

Posey County: Sydney Russler

Sullivan County: Roger Stonebraker, Vice Chairman

Deann Talley

Vigo County: Bonnie Chickadaunce

Who is eligible for funding?

Any organization within the WIN Energy REMC service area can apply for funding. Individuals are not eligible to apply. Funds will not be used to pay utility bills or any type of political contributions.
To apply download the Operation Round Up Grant Application.

What are some possible uses of funding?

Projects that could be considered include community service, economic development, education and youth programs, environmental projects, emergency assistance and disaster relief. These are only examples, funding is not limited to these items. The WIN Energy REMC Community Trust Board will determine where funds are distributed.

How will members know where funds go?

A list of distributed funds will be featured periodically in the Electric Consumer magazine, as well as on our website. Prior to funds being distributed, the donations will be placed in a separate account called WIN Energy REMC Community Trust, Inc.

If I have more than one account will each one be rounded up?

Yes, each account will be rounded up but if you would like only one of your accounts rounded up you can choose to opt out the other accounts.

My account is on Budget Billing, can I still participate in the program?

Yes, the rounded up amount will be calculated from your actual billed amount, not the budget amount.

How do I opt out?

All member accounts that are not opted out will be included in the program. If you choose to opt out you must notify us in one of the following ways: call our office at 800-882-5140 or contact us here. You may opt out or back in at anytime in the future if your situation changes. (Please note all government funded accounts will be automatically opted out.)

Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives is a national network of electric cooperatives across 46 states that provides resources and leverages partnerships to help member cooperatives and their employees better engage and serve their members. By working together, Touchstone Energy cooperatives stand as a source of power and information to their 32 million member-owners every day.